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Disaster Relief

Springfield – December 5, 2013 - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) diligently served in recovery efforts needed when 25 tornadoes ravaged Illinois the morning of Nov. 17, 2013. Following the storm’s aftermath, IDOC began debris removal operations to help communities meet their demands of disaster recovery.

“IDOC's staff and inmates have done an outstanding job in providing emergency assistance to communities,” said IDOC Director S.A. “Tony” Godinez. “Our goal has always been to support our communities by helping to bring stability and restore normalcy when nature plays havoc.”

Godinez emphasized that the goal of supporting communities through public service projects provides inmates with a structured agenda that develops responsibility, self-discipline, self-respect and a good work ethic. Their willingness to get involved in community service enhances their ability to reintegrate into society and live as responsible, law-abiding and productive citizens.

“Since cleanup operations began, IDOC has sent out 16 crews, 36 staff and 113 offenders to assist the communities of Gifford and Brookport,” stated IDOC Lt. John Eilers. “To date, these crews have worked 831 hours in assisting these two small communities with debris removal efforts. We have now received a new request for tornado relief assistance from Diamond, Illinois. We will be there next Tuesday.”

On Nov. 25, 2013, IDOC delivered two box trucks of water and Illinois Correctional Industries (ICI) delivered a semi-trailer of disaster relief supplies to the community of Brookport. Two crews from the Dixon Springs Impact Incarceration Program unloaded the donated supplies. Governor Quinn personally expressed his sincere appreciation to the staff and offenders of IDOC and ICI for their efforts and work ethic during this operation.

Throughout the years, IDOC has helped hundreds of communities successfully complete demanding emergency relief projects. The system allows citizens to see inmates working and giving back to the community and taxpayers' money at work.